I Am Trying to Live a Sustainable Life

   

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A week ago today, Mark and I finished an eight-week class on sustainability that was hosted by our darling daughter, Nicole, through her work for the Utah Society for Environmental Education.

Through the readings and the discussions, I learned a lot about myself and what it really means to live a sustainable life.

On the cover of our discussion booklet there is a quote:

The character of a society is the cumulative result of the countless small actions, day in and day out, of millions of people. ~ Duane Elgin

While this statement can be appropriately applied to all kinds of situations, it works especially nicely for sustainability. For to commit to a sustainable life, one has to believe in the Power of One.

For it is through the cumulative Power of One that we can nurture this home that gives us life.

What can I say about this very large topic in one little blog post? What can little-old-me say about this most giant of issues that lies at the heart of our very survival?

I suppose that in the spirit of the Power of One I can say...

• that I didn't put up as many Christmas lights outside this year as last year.
• that we bought a free-range turkey from a local farmer for Thanksgiving--the best I have ever tasted in my life.
• that I now buy organic fruits, vegetables, and dairy products almost exclusively.
• that I now always wash our clothes in cold water and I try to only run the washer every other week.
• that I've started to buy soaps and detergents that are eco-friendly.
• that I now buy coffee that is certified free-trade, organic, and shade-grown.
• that I will buy no more gift wrap, using reusable gift containers instead.
• that I've reduced my consumption of meat significantly.
• that I'm doing my best to buy what I need, not just what I want. I am richer for it, in more ways than one, but this is, by far, the most difficult challenge--especially at Christmastime.

Next on my list:

• Composting.
• Swapping out my incandescent light bulbs for flourescents.
• Replacing paper napkins with cloth.
• Recycling glass.
• Buying recycled toilet paper. (That's toilet paper made from recycled paper. Hello.)
• Writing more about my journey towards living a greener life.

I can also say that I know that this is a voyage that will last the rest of my life. As I give up one thing and replace it with another, greener, way, I will adjust and be ready for the next. Just like my desire to be younger next year, I'd like to be greener next year as well. I've already made vast improvements from the last.

How 'bout you? How do you feel about sustainability? Is it important to you to live a green life? Why or why not? What things do you do, if any, to be kind to Mother Earth? What are the obstacles you've encountered along the way? Are there things that were easier to give up than others? What are the benefits? I'd love to hear your take on this, no matter what shade of green you are today.

Comments

[Lindsay S.]

Wow! That's a lot of work and dedication so far. I'm working on it slowly. I am getting better at only getting what I need and not what I want(well except for stamps of course!). We just bought a new washer and dryer that use A LOT less water and power. Teaching my kids to recycle. The hardest for me is to stay organized to remember to keep it simple, which causes me to use more of what I don't need. Keep us posted on your journey, I like to read about what others do to be more green.

[Torm]

Remind me to show you my compost bin - I've been meaning to share my new groovy countertop model

I WISH we could eat organic, but plain and simply, this family of six can't afford it. It's hard to make sense of the fact that it costs more to eat natural, but it does. We do buy our eggs straight from the farm tho, I've always reused wrapping paper, we haven't put up outdoor lights for a few years - makes no sense when looking out - we can enjoy the six homes around us that do. LOL Oh - and I still line dry everything. This time of year, it adds just a bit of the much needed humidity in our house.

I'd go on, but someone seems to be needing me 'bout now, he's not napping. hmph. He musta heard what the doctor said last week

[betty lou]

Like you, we are trying to do what we can! I feel it is very important to stop wasting, to recycle, and to stop getting "stuff"! There is an Indian saying about not inheriting this Earth, but borrowing it from our children and grandchildren. As a new grandmother, I want my grandson to have a beautiful world to grow up in AND to take care of, teaching his children the same. So, I want to be an example for him.
As a Christian, I know there is a better place, also! But, we need to take care of what God gave us.
Have a blessed Christmas!

[Becky]

Wow! Looking at your list, I actually do a lot of these things! I think we should aslso think about sustainability not only in nature, but in economics. Buy from stores that are near you. Stores that stock hand-made items. Stores that are run from people you know...yes...this CAN be on the internet! I think this will help make the lives of our communities as a whole better as well. Also don't foget to say no to plastic bags and bring your own totes to the store...keep a bunch in your trunk! The German's do this all the time. i have learned so much from being over there so often. What a great post!

[Sherry Wright]

What a wonderful list! I try to buy organic when I can find it (very rural here), all our meat and eggs comes from the farmer down the raod (organic), and we grow our own fruits and veggies in the summer.

Looking forward to hearing more about your journey. ;) Have a great weekend. :)

[Stefanie Hamilton]

This is great, Cath! You will love the CFL's instead of the regular lightbulbs. They take some getting used to, but they last soooo much longer, and you'll see a savings on your electric bill. We compost in the summer and grow our own vegetables. We try to eat seasonally and locally for fruits and vegetables, but that means an awful lot of potatoes and onions over the winter. :-p